Crime Branch finds crores in Sarathi Baba’s bank accounts

The Odisha Crime Branch police, investigating into the fraudulent activities of the controversial godman Sarathi Baba, has found crores of rupees in his seized bank accounts.

Informing this to the media today, Crime Branch ADG BK Sharma said of the 20 seized bank accounts, 10 are in the name of the Baba.

While Rs 1.5 crore has been deposited in four bank accounts, one of the accounts has a deposit of Rs 1.20 crore. The Crime Branch has sought the details of the remaining six bank accounts of the Baba, he added.

“We have also found eight plots in the name of the Baba in prime locations in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Khordha, two houses in Bhubaneswar and one in Kendrapara town. For the two houses in Bhubaneswar, the Baba had paid Rs 55 lakh through cheque and Rs 1 crore in cash,” Sharma said.

Earlier in the day, a four-member Crime Branch team, led by IG, Arun Bothra, raided the ashram at Barimula in Kendrapara for further investigation.

Sources said the team searched room no-209 and 210 of the lodge inside the ashram and went inside the bathrooms. The team, during investigation, came to know about a woman was staying in room no-201 for a long time. The team also checked the visitors’ register.

Later, the team, under personal supervision of the Crime Branch IG, conducted the measurement of 2.5 acres of the land through the amin in the presence of the local tehsildar.